THE TOP 10 SUB-PLOTS OF 2009 (PART 1)

Matt Panure
Mid American Stock Car Series
November 12, 2009

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. (November 12, 2009) – During the 2009 Mid-American Stock Car Series season several storylines emerged, but were lost along the way. Each week, three sub-plots that affected the ’09 campaign will be revealed with the biggest sub-plot to be revealed as the fourth and final edition.

Here are moments ten through eight:

10. Weather wreaks havoc on MASCS schedule

A story line that was far from positive emerged in 2009 as Mid-American battled the conditions on several occasions. The season had an incredibly soggy start as the first two events of the season succumbed to rain.

Mid-American teams traveled to Rockford Speedway on April 19th to watch sprinkles turn into a complete washout. One week later teams were set for a double header at Hawkeye Downs Speedway on Saturday and Rockford on Sunday. Hawkeye rained out Saturday afternoon, postponing Mid-American’s return until August, and Rockford called off their event some 12 hours later.

Mid-American then had a string of good luck, dodging rain showers and rain delays at 141 Speedway in late June, Dells Raceway Park in late July, and surviving a postponement at Madison International Speedway in August.

The string of good luck ended, however, as Mid-American prepared to return for the Fall Classic at MIS. Wet weather during the prior week forced a second cancellation of Mid-American’s season.

9. ARP Next Generation Body makes debut at Golden Sands

The postponement of the first event of 2009 also meant a delay in the debut of ARP’s Next Generation Body. The sleek new design and new body package was debuted by several drivers at Golden Sands Speedway in late May.

Mike Lichtfeld gave ARP its first checkered flag in Mid-American Stock Car Series action by winning the 15-lap last chance race at GSS. Lichtfeld also gave ARP its first win with a MASCS style car just a few weeks earlier when he won his first race in the super stock class at Dells Raceway Park.

Troy Shear Jr. put himself in the record books, as well, by giving the NGB its first fast time at Rockford Speedway’s Short Track Nationals in October.

The ARP NGB is still seeking its first ever MASCS feature win. Kyle Shear came close with his Chevy Malibu SS in the Split 50 at MIS by winning the second segment. However, Shear came up one point shy of the overall feature win to Jeremy Spoonmore.

8. Pyburn sets fast time in first MASCS start

A season opening event at Golden Sands Speedway also set the stage for some modern Mid-American history. Matt Pyburn, making his first ever start in a Mid-American style car, set fast time at his home track.

No driver had accomplished that feat in the new-era of Mid-American, although Pyburn’s good friend Brian Back set fast time in only his second ever start only one year and six days earlier at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway.

As the season progressed an impressive battle between Pyburn and Justin Neisius began to emerge. Neisius repeated Pyburn’s feat two events later as he set fast time at Norway Speedway. The two jostled back and forth in season standings early in the season.

However, Pyburn hit a string of bad luck in mid-season which included two missed events due to a non-racing-related injury he suffered in August. Neisius took Rookie of the Year honors by finishing fourth in standings.

Sub-plots seven through five will be released next week

For more information about the Mid-American Stock Car Series, including results, the final 2009 standings, and driver information please visit www.midamericanracing.com